Children’s Day at the Village!
Children’s Day at the Village!
Our Children’s Day here at the Village was a huge hit for the hundreds of visitors who stopped in. Along with face and gourd painting, artifact washing, corn husk doll making, and atlatl throwing, visitors were able to visit with two of our amazing board members—Peter Lengkeek and Belinda Joe—to learn traditional indigenous stories and games. We are so grateful to them for teaching such valuable knowledge, and thankful to everyone who came out to see us!
Summer Reading Program at the Mitchell Public Library
The Mitchell Public Library invited Executive Director Christian New to come give a presentation for their Summer Reading program; the theme of the program is “Color Our World,” looking at art in a variety of ways and mediums. Christian gave a presentation on the way art permeates all of culture, and specifically how the pottery found at the Mitchell site is both function and style before having the attendees making their own ceramic goods. It was a great time, and the Mitchell Site appreciates the great work the library does to keep the youth educated and involved!
Our Gardens are in Bloom!
With recent rains, Audrey’s Garden is looking as beautiful as ever!
With the recent influx of rain, we have seen an explosion of life in Audrey’s Garden. From Wood Lilly to Wild Geranium to Meadow Garlic to Milkweed, our plants have bloomed beautifully. With that comes pollinators, birds, bunnies, and more - all of which help us in our goal to foster an active, healthy, native ecosystem here at the Mitchell Site.
Archaeology Day at the Village a Success!
Archaeology Day at the Mitchell Site was a huge success!
More than 200 visitors participated in Archaeology Day 2025 at the Village on June 14th. Attendees got the opportunity to watch stone tools being made, visit with archaeologists, engage in atlatl throwing, and more. Along with the numerous tourists that were part of the crowd, we had great community engagement-with lots of Mitchellites coming to support us and have a great time!
Listen to Dr. Hannus Discuss the Mitchell Site
Dr. Hannus discussed the Mitchell Site on a recent podcast episode of SDPB.
South Dakota Public Broadcasting has recently released a podcast episode featuring the Mitchell Site’s head archaeologist, Dr. Adrien Hannus. In it, he discusses the achievements of the site’s inhabitants, the value of understanding these achievements, and other work he has participated in around South Dakota to further this goal. Listen here: https://www.sdpb.org/podcast/history-605/2024-03-25/history-605-s-4-ep-2-archeology-at-the-indian-village-near-mitchell
New Exhibit Installed in Archeodome
New native plant exhibit installed in the Archeodome!
What a way to start off our blog!
Jerry Gerry, who was part of the founding committee establishing our site in 1978 and has served as a board member since, is also a master woodworker. Over the past few months, he has constructed a beautiful display case with the assistance and input of Dr. Adrien Hannus, our site’s lead archaeologist. It shows off native plants and their multifaceted uses by the indigenous people of the past and present - including those at our site 1,000 years ago.